During new business at the Dec. 9 DuPage County Board meeting, Member Desart urged the board to make a living-wage commitment for county employees in 2026. She cited a county staff update showing recent hires with annual salaries she said include $39,900 for a full-time nursing associate, $36,700 for a certified nursing associate, and $31,000 for a dining services worker. Desart contrasted those figures with a cited living-wage estimate of $57,535 for a single person without children and asked the board to prioritize employees and use its influence to push for wage increases.

Desart commended some constitutional officers (the sheriff, circuit clerk, clerk, state's attorney, treasurer and recorder) who have granted raises and described the county’s workforce as its 'number 1 asset.' She framed the proposal as both a moral and practical matter, arguing that paying living wages would help recruitment and retention, particularly for care-center positions where hiring has been difficult.

The board heard the request but did not vote on a formal living-wage ordinance or directive at the Dec. 9 meeting. Members thanked staff and recognized personnel contributions earlier in the agenda; no further action on a countywide living-wage policy was recorded in the transcript.